Okore said: “This is a really big summer for Aston Villa – Tim is going to come in with his own plans, his own ideas and his own players, so it will be exciting to see what it will look like next season.

“Hopefully we can get out of the relegation battle we have been in over the past few years, become a mid-table team and develop from there.

“I won’t be happy if we struggle again – I hope we can do some good investment (in the squad) and help the team to succeed.

“Hopefully we will do what is necessary to keep Christian at the club, keep him happy and fulfil all of his interests because he is such a big player for us.

Exciting: Jores Okore is looking forward to seeing what changes Tim Sherwood makes over the summer (Image: David Price)

“It looks like he will stay here. I don’t think they will find somebody else to replace him. Then we can work on that basis, but as a team we have a lot to do and a lot to learn.”

Skipper Fabian Delph believes Sherwood will recruit fresh blood to instil a “winning mentality” at a club who lost their way under Alex McLeish and Paul Lambert.

Delph said: “A few weeks ago we would have snapped your hand off to stay in the Premier League and reach the FA Cup final.

“Now it’s important that we get a winning mentality – we have to forget about this, and some players will be coming through the door to strengthen us. I’m sure we will get better and better.”

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